I don't think I'd go that big with a stock ignition. The only reason I run mine at .055 is cause I have that big MSD back there blasting power. Stock ignitions would call for factory recommendations. More in the .042-.045 range. Even with my MSD set-up I get a little bit of spark knock at WOT if I have mine gapped .060.

Then again, you boys are running EFI and I'm not. Can't say what difference that makes, if any.

One way to find out, I guess.

 

Ron, I don't think that spark knock could be caused by plug gap, or am I missing something? Maybe your timing is too far advanced, but I didn't think that spark knock could be caused by excessive plug gap, just a little arcing and wear and tear on your plug wires.

 

(this is my first posting in awhile...things are NEW!)

I'm making the first plug/wires/cap change (at 60K/mile) on a '95 5.8L California F150, 4x4, E40D auto & I was planning to use the Ford Racing 9mm wires or the MSD's. Previous postings are positive about both.
1) Any problems with wire looms for the 9mm wires?

Torqueking has sold me on the NHK's (used them for years on race bikes).
2) Is it worth the $40 to switch to a MSD TFI coil (pn 8227)?
3) How about caps? Ford or aftermarket?

Jmichael

 

Ford Racing has some nice chrome and blue wire looms that has the Ford Logo on em.... Fits the 9mm wires perfectly. I have the 9mm ford wires and I have noticed a great difference over the crappy stock ones I had.

I havent tried any other kinds, but I have no complaints with these ones.

In my Firebird, I have used MSD and the boots never wanted to stay on the distributer. Just somthing to think about and be sure to test the MSD wires in the parking lot before you hand em over your wallet.

Personaly I would go with the Ford wires, as I already have

 

SummitRacing has a really nice wire loom set that I'm currently using, by R&M specialties. They're the only ones I know of that will fit 9mm wires, and they're made of billet aluminum. Bad news is that they cost about $35, but it's really nice having your wires held in place.

 

TK,

The chrome ones do sound nice. For cheapies, Summit also lists Spark Plug Wire Separators by Moroso, both 9mm and 11mm @ $5.95 and $8.95 repectively per set. Blue, red or yellow for the 9's and blue, red or black for the 11's.

 

Here is an image of the Ford looms. It is in black and white.



Here is an image of the Moroso looms, they are in color and the Ford looms look almost the same except for the Ford logo.

 

Here's what I'm talking about, this is what I have on my motor.

 

That is sweet !
Now I want one Do you know if it would fit an EFI 351W ?
I will start looking to see what I can find out about it.

A bit different then the ones I have been looking at.

 

Opps, forgot to ask...

I take it those just bolt to the outside bolts on the valve covers right? If I am wrong, where do you bolt them up?

 

I don't have any pictures of it on my truck, but I can tell you that it really looks sweet. The wires run over top of the aluminum plates, it keeps them nice and parallel the whole length of the engine. They bolt through your valve cover bolts, so it will fit any 302 engine.

 

Well I just ordered the R&M wire loom set from SummitRacing... I like those alot.

 

On the subject of wires. I have tried spiral core wires on my 89 F150 EFI 302 and I get a misfire that appears to worsen at low RPM load, as if as the timing advances, crossfire occurs within the cap. Anyone experience this?
Mark

 

I think my 87 does something similar. If I get on the gas about half throttle around 1500 - 2000 rpms while the engine is under load, it will get a few pings sporadically. It's only in one or two cylinders, I'm guessing 7 or 8, because they are next to each other in the firing order and on the engine. It's not doing this in every cylinder, it has plenty of power otherwise, but it just has that ping every now and then. I'm gonna try to re route the wires and see if that helps, and possibly clean out the intake manifold real well.

 

Well, I just recieved my wire looms from Summit Racing today !! Guess what I am doing on the weekend?? haha

Thx for the lead... I really like those looms.